This is the Tour to Estonia starting and ending in Tallinn. We visit the islands of Saaremaa/Hiiumaa and national parks Soomaa and Lahemaa. We follow part of National Bike Routes num 1, 5 and 4.

SUMMARY OF THE ROUTE In 10 days you will do the complete round tour to the beautiful baltic country of Estonia. 900 km through bike paths, non paved roads, quiet secondary roads and few main roads, but with not many traffic. The profile is flat, but a bit windy sometimes. There live few people in the country and cities are small. So impressive lots of nature with almost no villages.

The trip has various diferenciated parts:

The first part, from Tallin to Haapsalu, goes along the north coast of the country, with steep cliffs. Crossing Tallin is not so difficult for the traffic. Then we circulate in secondary roads with few cars and some bike lines. The second stage we took an old train track, converted in bike path, very flat and straight.

The second part are the islands. We have to take ferries from island to island and the landscape is very beautiful. We take the main roads, that have not many traffic. The coast is flat and instead of sand beaches you find wetlands with many vegetation of sweet water. We only cross a little of Hiiumaaa. Then Saaremaa, where we ride two stages. And Muhu, the smallest and less inhabited.

On the third part, after visiting Parnu, a beautiful coast city, we cross entirely the Soomaa National Park, with neverending nonpaved roads between very huge and tall trees. Interesting to visit de bogs, marshes with wooden elevated paths to take a pacefully stroll. Many birdwatching towers.

We enter now the fourth part, to connect Tartu. Almost in main roads, but not difficult to ride because of the traffic. We cross Tartu and head north to Rakvere, using the train 80 kilometers to avoid a 11th stage.

Finally we enter in the fifth and last part of the journey, crossing to the Lahemaa National Park. It's in the north coast, heading Tallin. You cross impressive woods of tall trees, rivers full of beavers and the caracteristic coast with big rocks in the water. Perhaps this rocks come from the old glaciers from the Artic.

Interesting to visit the Manors you find in every places, like little castles of rich properties. We finally arrive at Tallin, a small but beautiful city, with an interesting old city, its ramparts and nice squares.

WHICH BIKE The better is a trekking bike, because most of the way are asphalted roads but sometimes are non paved. For the Soomaa National Park, better a bit of suspension.

WHEN TO GO Best time is late spring and summer, because of the lenght of the day, thing that let be the stages more relaxed.

HOW TO GET THERE Plane to Tallin is the better option. Combinations with Norway are also possible.

WHERE TO STAY We stayed at little hotels with can be reserved by booking.com. I don't know about campings, but you can also stay in little hostels.

DIFFICULTIES The route is very flat, with almost no dificulties and few cars in the roads. The Saaremaa is difficult because of the long nonpaved roads with almost no services or villages. The wind can also be strong in some stages. The ferry Hiumaa-Saarema has little frequency. From inland to Saaremaa there are mor ferries. Trains are not very frequent, but you can carry bikes.

DOCUMENTATION Estonian Travel Guide for cyclists, by Regio. http://www.balticcycle.eu/shop/en/?language=en to by the maps.

IMPORTANT FACTSLife cost is not so high compared to most european standards, but higher than the neigbours Letonia and Lithuania. They have euro, that is rising prices. You don't need Visa from Europa.